Matthew 25:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

NIV: And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

NASB: And throw the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

CSB: And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

NLT: Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

KJV: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

NKJV: And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The servant described as sinful and lazy by his master (Matthew 25:24–27) now faces consequences. The master has him thrown into the place of outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is language almost always used to describe the eternal torment of judgment in hell (Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; Luke 13:28). The servant who refused to serve his master is declared worthless and removed to a place of suffering.

This point should be clear, in context, but it has often been misinterpreted. The person being cast into this outer darkness is not being punished because he did not accomplish enough for the master. He's not being damned for his disobedience. Rather, his actions prove he's not a true servant at all: he's a pretender. When the master gave him a talent, he blatantly refused to use it, and made derogatory excuses (Matthew 25:24–25). In a sense, the lazy man is not losing his servanthood; he's proving he never really had it in the first place. As a result, he'll be rejected by the master.

Jesus' point is clear. Those who refuse to serve Him while waiting for Him to return are demonstrating that they do not truly trust Him (John 14:15). They have not placed their hope in Him, and He is the only way to be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven and a relationship with God the Father. Without Jesus, there is no hope (John 3:36).

Matthew 25:14–30 compares the kingdom of heaven to three servants of a wealthy master. Each was given resources—the master's assets—and commanded to do business with them while he is away. Two of the servants apply the supplied funds and double the sums of money the master leaves with them. They are richly rewarded when he comes back. The third servant buries the money and does nothing with it out of supposed fear of the master. The master condemns his laziness and evil, casting him out. Jesus' servants must work diligently for Him while waiting for His return, not wasting the talents and resources which they have been given.

Jesus uses two additional parables to illustrate a state of constant readiness for His return after He has gone. His followers should be working for Him while they wait. They must not be like the foolish young women who missed a wedding feast because they forgot oil for their lamps. They must be like the servants who doubled their harsh master's investments while He was away. Jesus concludes with a third descriptive passage, showing how He will judge between the righteous and evil when He returns as King.

Matthew 25 concludes the "Olivet Discourse:" Jesus' teaching to the disciples about future things as they sit on the Mount of Olives. This follows His dire predictions about the Temple and Jerusalem in chapter 24. He gives two more parables to emphasize that they must be prepared for His return. Finally, Jesus describes the moment of His return, after a time of tribulation, when He will judge all who live on earth at the beginning of His kingdom. This leads into Matthew's account of Jesus' Last Supper, betrayal, and arrest in chapter 26.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.